Flagstaff.



No. 868,942. Y PTENTED 00T. 22. 1907.

W. A. REID.

FLAGSTAFP- v APPLIoATIoN Hum) P31118. 1907.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1. J5 1:3

lili? PATBNTED 00T. 22. 1907. W. A. REID.' PLAGSTAFP.

APPLICATION FILED PEB. 18, 1907. Y l

3 SHIEJETS-SHEIJTRv 2.

acIILFIIIIH @Tn/2 PATENTED 00T. 22, 1907.

W. A. REID. F-LAGSTAFF. APPLIoATIoN FILED FEB. 1a, 1907.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

...Nil

WILLIAiNI A. REID, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

FLAG-STAFF.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 22, 1907.

.Application filed February I8, 1907. Serial No. 357,882.

To all lwhom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM A. REID, a citizen. of the United States of America, residing in the city of St. vLouis and State ol Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Flagstaffs, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in that character of lflag staffs of which an example is to be found in Letters Patent of the United States No. 57 8,524 issued March 9, 1897 to the N. O. Nelson Manufacturing Company as the assignee of myself and in which the main mast of the staff comprises sections composed of clusters of pipes united by a coupling in which also the top mast is supported by a bracket and in which a rotatable halyard bracket is utilized at the top of the top mast.

The object of the present improvement is to so improve the coupling in the main mast that the sections thereof may be more accurately alined when united, thereby avoiding erection of the staff out of plumb'. also to improve the top mast supporting bracket for the purpose of facilitating erection of the flag staff and the plumbing of the top mast when the staff is being erected'. also to provide an improved form of bearing for the halyard bracket making it possible for such bracket to turn freely on the top mast and avoid fouling of a flag around the top mast in slight wind changes.

Figure I is an elevation'of the flag staff embodying my improvement. Fig. II is an enlarged horizontal cross section taken online II-II, Fig. I. Fig. III is an enlarged elevation of a portion of the main mast including the coupling uniting its sections. Fig. IV is an enlarged plan view of one of the main mast coupling members. taken on line V-V, Fig. II. vertical section taken through the center pipe and the core piece of one of the main mast sections with the draw bolt associated with said parts shown in elevation. Fig. VII is a plan view of one of the core pieces in the main mast sections. Fig. VIII is an enlarged side elevation of the upper end of the main mast and the lower end of the top mast. Fig. IX`is an enlarged horizontal cross section taken on line IX-IX, Fig. VIII. Fig. X

`is an enlarged vertical section taken on line X-X,

Fig. IX. Fig. XI is an enlarged rear elevation of the top mast supporting bracket. Fig. XII is an enlarged side elevation of the upper end of the top mast partly broken out. Fig. XIII is an enlarged vertical-section taken from front to rear through the upper end of the top mast and the halyard bracket. Fig. XIV is an enlarged horizontal cross section taken on line XIV-XIV, Fig. XIII. Fig. ,XV is a view similar to Fig. IX illus- Fig. V is an enlarged vertical section- Fig. VI is an enlarged trating a modification of the top mast supporting bracket.

A and Avdesignate respectivelylower and upper sections of the main mast of my flag staff which are in the main of similar construction to the corresponding sections in the patent herein previously referred to and each comprises a cluster of pipes l arranged in a circle and a center pipe 2. The center pipe in each section differs, however, from the pipes in said patent in that it is provided with a longitudinal slot 3 located in the end of the pipe that is within the end of the section which is complementary to the companion main mast section.

B is a coupling member united to the main mast section A and B is a coupling member united to the main mast section Af. -Th ese coupling members are complementary to each other and each member is provided with a sleeve 4 which is luted for the purpose of providing a continuous series of pockets extending longitudinally of the sleeve and in which the circular series of 'pipes l seat. At the base of each sleeve 4 is an internal inset web 5 which preferably pipes l. In the center of each web is a bolt hole 6,. Each coupling member is provided with a plurality of ears 7 containing bolt holes that are adapted to receive binding bolts 8 by which the members are held assembled when the main mast sections are joined to each other The base of one of the members contains an annular groove 9, see Figs. IV and V, while upon the other member is an annular rib IO that is adapted to enter said groove forfthe alinement of the coupling members when they are joined to each other.

The sleeve of cach coupling member is tapered internally so that the interior diameter of the cavity within the sleeve is greater at the outer end of the sleeve than at the base thereof. It will therefore be seen that when the pipes I are inserted into the sleeves of th e coupling members their inner ends may be forced outwardly by pressure applied interiorly ofthe cluster of pipes for the purpose of carrying the pipes firmly into contact with the sleeves of the coupling members. This outward movement of the pipes is accomplished by means which will now be described Il are cast iron core pieces that are loosely fitted to the central pipes 2 of each main mast section and each of which is provided at its perimeter with a plurality of pockets correspondingin number to the number of outer pipes surrounding the central pipe in order that said outer pipes may fit into the core piece. At one side of each core piece is afiange that surrounds the central pipe to which the core piece is fitted and in which is seated a set `screw l2 that is adapted to .be v

slightly tightened to the central pipe merely for the contains recesses for the reception of the ends of the purpose of preventing accidental movement of the core piece on the central pipe while the coupling member is being fitted to the cluster of pipes 1.

13 are draw bolts preferably of T-shape which are seated in the central pipes 2, and the heads 14 of which are loosely tted in the slots 3 of said central pipes. The heads of these draw bolts are adapted to bear against the rear sides of the core pieces l1 and the shanks of the bolt pass through the bolt holes 6 in the Webs 5 of the coupling members B and B To the shank of each draw bolt is applied a nut l5 which, when manipulated on the bolt, acts by bearing against the web of the coupling member to cause the head of `the draw bolt to be moved towards said web and carry with it in a like direction the core piece 11. As previously explained, the set screw 12 is only slightly tightened to the center pipe 2 and therefore the resistance offered by said screwr to the movement of the core piece is readily overcome. As the core piece is drawn toward the web of the coupling member while the cluster of pipes are seated within the sleeve of said member, said pipes are forced outwardly and into close con tact with the interior surface of said sleeve, due to the fact of the coupling member sleeves being tapered internally as previously mentioned.

For the purpose of making an accurate and firm joint between each coupling member B and B/ and the cluster of pipes which are seated therein, I shrink the coupling members onto said pipes, the shrinking operation and the assemblage of the parts being carried out in the following manner. I first assemble the cluster of outer pipes 1 and the central pipes 2 with the core pieces mounted upon said central pipes and occupying positions away from the ends of the central pipes that are to enter into the coupling members, the core pieces being preferably so located on said central pipes that the heads of the draw bolts 13 will rest at the inner ends of the slots in said central pipes. I then, having heated the coupling member that is to be applied to the pipes of a section which is being assembled, apply the coupling member while in the heated condition to the ends of the cluster of pipes so that said pipes will enter into the sleeves of the coupling member and each seat in its individual pocket in said sleeve. I next force the outer pipes 1 outwardly while the coupling member is still in the heated condition by manipulation of the nuts of the draw bolts 13, whereby l said bolts are caused to exert a pull upon the core piece 11 through which they pass and said core piece is moved longitudinally within the series of pipes to force them into `Fnm contact with the inner surface of the coupling member sleeve. After the pipes have been tightened inthe manner specified I shrink the coupling member sleeve onto the outer pipes in any manner, such as by applying cold water thereto and cut off the surplus portions of the draw bolts 13. In this connection it should be stated that as the core piece 1l is. of iron and the coupling member and pipes are preferably of steel a high degree of shrinkage of the coupling member to the pipes is possible for the reason that steel is susceptible of greater shrinkage than iron. The joint between the cluster of pipes and the coupling member is therefore rendered a very solid one when the coupling member is shrunk to said pipes. For the purpose of avoiding any play between the outer pipes 1 and causing them to be jammed tightly against each other I may utilize jam screws 1G which are inserted through the sleeves of the coupling members and are adapted to be forced into positions between any one or more couples ofthe pipes, as seen most clearly in Fig. II.

C designates the top mast supporting bracket which will next be described.

17 designatesA mating segmental sleeve sectionsv preferably two in number, which surround one of the main mast sections of the flag sta ff, preferably the upper one. These segmental sleeve sections are of ribbed or uted form upon their inner faces for the purpose of causing such inner faces to fit snugly to the outer pipes of the main mast section around which the sleeve produced by the assemblage of said segmental sections is placed and each sleeve section is provided with ears 18 that mate with the ears of the other sleeve section and contain co-inciding bolt holes through which clamping bolts 19 are passed. Each segmental sleeve section is provided with a flange 20 which, when mated with the Harige of the other sleeve section, serves to produce a continuous rim or shoulder located rbeneath the upper end of the sleeve composed of the sleeve sections and above which is a cylindrical neck 21.

22 are eyes or ears projecting from the segmental sleeve sections and adapted to receive the connection of guy wires or rods 28 that lead to the ground and serve to stay the Hag staff.

24 is a bracket arm located alongside of the sleeve consisting of the segment sections 17 and provided with a socket 25. This bracket has a leg that is connected to the sleeve at its lower end through the medium of screws 27 that pass through ears 2G projecting from the leg and seat in said sleeve, as seen most clearly in Fig. X. Projecting from the upper end of the bracket arm is a collar segment 2S that is fitted to the sleeve and which is provided with an ear 29.

30 is a supplemental collar segment that is fitted to the sleeve neck 21 and mates with the bracket arm collar segment for the purpose of completing the collar around said neck, the segment 30 being provided with an ear 31 that fits against the car 29 of the segment 2S and an ear 32 that lits against the inner end of said segment 28; The ends of these collar segments are united by binding bolts which are passed therethrough.

The bracket C constructed as described, provides a support for the top mast D which being constructed of segments as described, may be readily shipped detached from the main mast and may be easily litted to the main mast when the flag staff is being erected and adjusted thereon to the desired position in the mounting and plumbing of the top mast into permanent place. In the mounting of the top mast upon the bracket the lower end of said top mast is seated in the socket 25 of the bracket and the top mast is connected to the main mast in any desirable manner, such as by the employment of the stays or braces described in the Letters Patent hereinbefore mentioned.

In Fig. XV I have shown a modification of the top mast supportinge'bracket, In this modification the bracket arm 24./ is made separate from the collar segments that surround the sleeve of the bracket and provided with a web 24a. The collar segments 28 and 30 being both independent from the bracket arm, are provided with ears 28a and 32 between which the web 249d of the bracket arm is clamped.

33 designates a halyard bracket that has a collar portion 34 which surrounds a cylindrical stem 35 at the upper end of the top mast D and is susceptible of rotating freely on said stem. In the lower side of the collar 34 is a bearing ball raceway 36, see Figs. XIII and XIV. At the base oi the stem 35 is an annular shoulder 37 that contains a bearing ball raceway 38. Between the said shoulder and the halyard bracket collar and operatable in the raceways oi these members, are positioned bearing balls 39. These bearing balls are adapted to sustain the halyard bracket and provide easy movement tor the collar oi said bracket around the stem 35 ol the top mast in order that the halyard bracket may be susceptible oi rotation under a slight exertion oi orce.

4() is a pulley journaled in the halyard bracket which supports the ila-g hoisting rope 4l and on which said rope travels in the hoisting and loweringD ot the ilag.

42 is a cap that is fitted to the upper end oi the top mast stem and serves as a retaining member ior the halyard bracket 33.

Claims:

1. In a flag statt mast, the combination of a pair of sections comprising clusters of pipes, coupling members fitted to said pipes for uniting them, adjustable core pieces located within said clusters of pipes, and means for shifting said core pieces longitudinally of said pipes, substantially as set forth.

2. In a fiag staff mast, the combination of a pair of sections comprising clusters of pipes, and centralpipes, coupling members in which the 'ends of said clusters of pipes are seated, adjustable core pieces loosely fitted to said central pipes and adapted to impinge against said cluster of pipes for the purpose of forcing them outwardly within said couplingmembers, and means for shifting said core pieces on said central pipes substantially as set forth.

In a flag stair mast, the combination of a pair of sections comprising clusters of pipes, coupling members having tapered sleeves in which the ends of said pipes seat, and shiltable means for forcing said pipes outwardly to said sleeves, substantially as set forth.

-l. In a flag staff mast, the combination of a pair of sections comprising clusters of pipes, and central pipes the latterof which are provided with longitudinal slots, coupling melnbers for uniting said sections and in which said pipes are seated, core pieces loosely fitted to said central pipes within said clusters of pipes, and means operatable in the slots of said central pipes for moving said core pieces, substantially as set forth.

5. In a flag statt mast, the combination of a pair of sections comprising clusters of pipes, and central pipes the 1 latter of which are provided with longitudinal slots, coupling members for uniting said sections and in which said pipes are seated, core pieces loosely fitted to said central pipes within said clusters of pipes, and draw bolts operatable in said slots for moving said core pieces, substantially as set forth.

6. In a tlag staff mast, the combination of a pair of sections comprising elusters of pipes and central pipes, coupling members for uniting said sections provided with sleeves in which the ends of the clusters of pipes are seated and having webs at the bases of said sleeves, core pieces surrounding said central pipes and located within said clusters of pipes, and draw bolts for moving said core pieces titted to said central pipes and passing through the webs of said coupling members, substantially as set forth.

7. In a iiag staff mast, the combination of a pair of seetions comprising clusters of pipes and central pipes, coupling members for uniting said sections provided with sleeves in which the ends of the clusters of pipes are seated and having webs at the bases of said sleeves, core pieces surrounding said central pipes and located within said clusters of pipes, and draw bolts for moving said core webs of said coupling members; said draw bolts being provided with heads and said central pipes being slotted longitudinally to receive the heads of said bolts, substantially as set forth.

S. In a iag statt mast, the combination of a pair of sections comprising clusters of pipes, coupling members having sleeves in which said clusters of pipes are seated, and spreading screws adapted to enter between adjoining pipes of said clusters, substantially as set forth.

9. In a iiag staff, the combination with a main mast and a top mast; of a supporting bracket for said top mast comprising a sleeve having mating segmental sleeve sections formed with neck sections and iitted to said main mast, and agbracket arm having a collar segment and a supplemental collar segment fitted to the neck of said sleeve, substantially as set forth.

10. In a iiag statt, the combination with a main mast and a top mast of a supporting bracket for said top mast comprising a sleeve having sleeve sections formed with neck sections and fitted to said main mast, and a bracket arm fitted to said sleeve and having a collar comprising a pair of segments detachably united to each other and surrounding the neck of said sleeve; substantially as set forth.

11. In a iiag statt, the combination with a main mast and a top mast, of a supporting bracket for said top mast comprising a segmental sleeve having an annular' rim. and a circular neck above said rim, and a bracket arm for the reception of the top mast having a collar surrounding the neck of said sleeve, a part of which is integral with the bracket varm proper and the remainder of which is detachable from the first named part, substantially as set forth.

WILLIAM A. REID.

In presence of BLANCHE HOGAN, l H. G. COOK.

pieces fitted to said central pipes and passing through the 

